I was going to write a longer post on the subject of hate crime, but then I saw this...
Taken from http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/hatecrimes/:
"Section 319 deals with publicly stirring up or inciting hatred against an identifiable group based on colour, race, religion, ethnic origin or sexual orientation. It is illegal to communicate hatred in a public place by telephone, broadcast or through other audio or visual means. The same section protects people from being charged with a hate crime if their statements are truthful or the expression of a religious opinion." (emphasis added)
No. Just no. All kinds of no.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
So you're writing a movie...
... and you're coming up on the very last scene in Act Three, and you think to yourself, "This would be a nice place for a little concluding narration." Which of the following would you choose to have your protagonist say?
1) "I don't know about heaven, but I do believe in angels."
2) "The final gunshot was an exclamation mark to everything that had led to this point. I released my finger from the trigger. And then it was over."
Am I alone in thinking that the choice is obvious? That one of these chunks of dialogue is far, far superior to the other?
I feel like those responsible were thinking: "I was a Ninja. My Kung Fu was strong."
But the truth is: "I wasn't kidding anyone. At best, I was Superman on Kryptonite."
To those who know, let us all take a moment of silence to remember the lost and the damned. To those situated so blissfully in ignorance, don't go looking for heartbreak. You won't find anything there worth watching.
1) "I don't know about heaven, but I do believe in angels."
2) "The final gunshot was an exclamation mark to everything that had led to this point. I released my finger from the trigger. And then it was over."
Am I alone in thinking that the choice is obvious? That one of these chunks of dialogue is far, far superior to the other?
I feel like those responsible were thinking: "I was a Ninja. My Kung Fu was strong."
But the truth is: "I wasn't kidding anyone. At best, I was Superman on Kryptonite."
To those who know, let us all take a moment of silence to remember the lost and the damned. To those situated so blissfully in ignorance, don't go looking for heartbreak. You won't find anything there worth watching.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The television is on in the background
No joke, I'm watching an episode of the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars television show about a weaponized virus.
There's a comment on the tip of my tongue, but I'm not sure what it is. So in lieu of brilliant insight, I'm just reporting because it struck me as somehow odd.
There's a comment on the tip of my tongue, but I'm not sure what it is. So in lieu of brilliant insight, I'm just reporting because it struck me as somehow odd.
Friday, April 17, 2009
On Torture
In the interest of consistent treatment of people under the law (you know, rule of law, all that legal nonsense), I really want to see someone (lots of someones, really) taken to court for actions conducted in prisons under U.S. control. Whether you think it constitutes "torture" or not, or whether you think the ends justify the means or not, the actions described by the memos (here is the link I have readily available; it's an op-ed piece which I happen to agree with, but it also contains links to the relevant memos) which the Obama administration recently released to the public are illegal under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (...this part is important, especially if you think that their actions did not constitute torture).
For those who are unconvinced check out the Coles Notes version on Wikipedia or the actual text of the Convention.
The United States (government, populace and everyone in between) needs to take those responsible (in my opinion, everyone responsible) to task. If another country did what the United States has admitted to, you can be damn sure the U.S. would insist charges be laid against those who committed, ordered or let happen these acts. Those charged would almost certainly be convicted too - likely of the death penalty - if history is any indication. So if it's illegal, and if anyone and everyone else who acted in such a way would be charged, those in the U.S. should be charged too.
Emotionally, I can understand the justifications for torture ("and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment") but logically it does not stand up to muster. It cannot. Unless we all want to be subject to torture ("and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment"). I posit that we do not. I think we all want this convention to stay in effect. Whether the ends are justified, the means are not. They cannot be. And I, for one, don't want them to be.
Anyways, long story short, I want to do something about this whole mess. I would like to get involved. But I feel like I live in the wrong country to do something about it. Unless...
Canada is a signatory to the Convention Against Torture, etc. As a signatory we should insist that we, and other nations are compliant to that convention. Is it unreasonable to suggest that we should let the United States know that we demand they do something about their breach of that convention? Is it not all of our responsibility to make sure that our national and international laws are upheld?
Thoughts on getting involved? Or should I just shut up and let the United States sort their own shit out?
For those who are unconvinced check out the Coles Notes version on Wikipedia or the actual text of the Convention.
The United States (government, populace and everyone in between) needs to take those responsible (in my opinion, everyone responsible) to task. If another country did what the United States has admitted to, you can be damn sure the U.S. would insist charges be laid against those who committed, ordered or let happen these acts. Those charged would almost certainly be convicted too - likely of the death penalty - if history is any indication. So if it's illegal, and if anyone and everyone else who acted in such a way would be charged, those in the U.S. should be charged too.
Emotionally, I can understand the justifications for torture ("and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment") but logically it does not stand up to muster. It cannot. Unless we all want to be subject to torture ("and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment"). I posit that we do not. I think we all want this convention to stay in effect. Whether the ends are justified, the means are not. They cannot be. And I, for one, don't want them to be.
Anyways, long story short, I want to do something about this whole mess. I would like to get involved. But I feel like I live in the wrong country to do something about it. Unless...
Canada is a signatory to the Convention Against Torture, etc. As a signatory we should insist that we, and other nations are compliant to that convention. Is it unreasonable to suggest that we should let the United States know that we demand they do something about their breach of that convention? Is it not all of our responsibility to make sure that our national and international laws are upheld?
Thoughts on getting involved? Or should I just shut up and let the United States sort their own shit out?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Dollhouse
Am I the only one who enjoys this show?
I know there's a continuing story coming (you can see the seeds in the first few episodes) but the concept strikes me as the ultimate episodic television show - every week Eliza Dushku is a new character in a new situation, with action, adventure, drama, comedy, so on and so forth. And the possibilities are endless.
Now some have suggested that those who enjoy Dollhouse, are merely enjoying the promise of future enjoyment. My personal experience with the first three episodes has been different. Although I can see the promise of things to come, I have genuinely enjoyed each of the first three episodes.
Some complaints I've heard? No character to follow episode to episode. My response? Not the lead, no, but each supporting character has a story that I want to know more about. Also, Eliza Dushku provides us with a new, interesting character each episode, which is compelling both narratively and in the performance itself. Putting on a new mask week to week is no mean feat. That's actually the only real complaint I can recall, aside from expressions of general contempt.
I'm not trying to argue with anyone who didn't like the series. Just weighing in with my two cents (and maybe converting some of the undecided masses, if I'm feeling particularly delusional).
And with the mixed reviews the series has garnered thus far I can't help but feel like I'm missing something. Exactly what is it that everyone else seems to find so unpleasant?
If you have an opinion on the series, for better or for worse, I'd love to hear it. I'm curious to know your thoughts, especially if you're on the other side of the equation.
And if you haven't seen an episode yet? Well, I hate to sound like an ad, but you can check it out tonight at nine.
I know there's a continuing story coming (you can see the seeds in the first few episodes) but the concept strikes me as the ultimate episodic television show - every week Eliza Dushku is a new character in a new situation, with action, adventure, drama, comedy, so on and so forth. And the possibilities are endless.
Now some have suggested that those who enjoy Dollhouse, are merely enjoying the promise of future enjoyment. My personal experience with the first three episodes has been different. Although I can see the promise of things to come, I have genuinely enjoyed each of the first three episodes.
Some complaints I've heard? No character to follow episode to episode. My response? Not the lead, no, but each supporting character has a story that I want to know more about. Also, Eliza Dushku provides us with a new, interesting character each episode, which is compelling both narratively and in the performance itself. Putting on a new mask week to week is no mean feat. That's actually the only real complaint I can recall, aside from expressions of general contempt.
I'm not trying to argue with anyone who didn't like the series. Just weighing in with my two cents (and maybe converting some of the undecided masses, if I'm feeling particularly delusional).
And with the mixed reviews the series has garnered thus far I can't help but feel like I'm missing something. Exactly what is it that everyone else seems to find so unpleasant?
If you have an opinion on the series, for better or for worse, I'd love to hear it. I'm curious to know your thoughts, especially if you're on the other side of the equation.
And if you haven't seen an episode yet? Well, I hate to sound like an ad, but you can check it out tonight at nine.
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